Thailand travel warnings issued as thousands of protesters gather

By Karla Cripps, CNN

Updated 0536 GMT (1336 HKT) November 27, 2013

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – An anti-government protester blows a whistle in front of Thai flags during a rally at Bangkok's Democracy Monument on Friday, one day after the embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra survived a no-confidence vote in parliament.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Anti-government protesters occupied the army headquarters on November 29, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand, despite calls from the country's prime minister for protesters to cease their sustained demonstrations and negotiate an end to the nation's latest crisis.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Opposition protesters in Bangkok say they plan to march towards the headquarters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's ruling party on Friday, as they continue their campaign to overthrow her.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Anti-government protesters blow whistles as they rally at the Department Special Investigation in Bangkok on November 27, 2013.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Flag-waving protesters vowing to topple the Thai prime minister took to the streets of Bangkok for a fourth day Wednesday, declaring they would take over "every ministry" of the government.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – A Thai riot policeman holds flowers which were offered to him by opposition protesters during a rally at a government complex in Bangkok on November 27, 2013.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Thousands of anti-government protesters occupy the Finance ministry for a third day in a bid to oust the current government of Yingluck Shinawatra on November 27, 2013 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Anti-government protesters demonstrate outside the Ministry of Interior in a bid to oust the current government of Yingluck Shinawatra November 26, 2013 in Bangkok,Thailand.

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Photos:Thai protesters stage huge rallies

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appealed for an end to 'mob rule' on November 26 as she prepared to face a no-confidence debate in parliament.

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – Tens of thousands of pro- and anti-government demonstrators massed in rival rallies in Bangkok on Sunday, as Thailand grappled with its most potent revival of street politics since bloody protests in 2010.

Thai protesters stage huge rallies – A Thai opposition protester holds up a placard mocking exiled former leader, Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin has a strong support base among Thailand's rural and working class, but is detested among the elite and middle classes, who accuse him of corruption.

Story highlights

More than 20 nations issue warnings for citizens to avoid political gatherings

Some tourists didn't even realize there were protests taking place in Bangkok

Though on the surface it seems like another typical day in central Bangkok -- hot, muggy and busy, with traffic snarls around town -- tension is rising as protesters continue to exert pressure on the Thai prime minister to step down.

Thousands of demonstrators were expected to march on key ministerial buildings on Wednesday to demand an end to the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, ahead of a no-confidence vote in parliament on Thursday.

The escalating political tension has prompted travel updates from 23 foreign governments, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry. Among the countries warning their citizens to be vigilant are the UK, the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, Sweden and Singapore.

Locals and tourists appear unconcerned

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For those not plugged into official information sources, there are few signs of what's being broadcast around the world -- images of government ministries under siege, rallies filled with thousands of cheering anti-government protesters and video of Yingluck explaining to the nation why she's implementing the Internal Security Act (ISA).

The ISA gives law enforcement officials and the military additional powers, including the right to impose curfews, put up checkpoints, restrict the movement of demonstrators and search for weapons.

Away from the affected sites it's pretty much life as normal in most parts of wider Bangkok. But while it's easy to avoid protests, as of Wednesday morning the situation had become extremely fluid and increasingly worrisome to some observers.

While the number of demonstrators, led by the Democrat Party, has declined from the 100,000 reported on Sunday, protesters claim tens of thousands of people are still on the streets. Authorities say the figure is closer to 10,000.

On Wednesday, they'll split into two or more groups, according to Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the protesters. He told CNN they plan to march to a number of government buildings, including the ministries for Public Health, Social Development, Labor, and Science and Technology.

Another group is heading to a complex outside the city which houses a number of government offices. A primary target in this location is the Department of Special Investigation.

A city accustomed to protests

The capital's residents have become accustomed to political uprisings, hence the business-as-usual attitude among locals.

Thailand was wracked with turbulence for four years after a 2006 coup, culminating in a 2010 army crackdown on supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the older brother of the current prime minister. More than 90 people were killed in the violence.

Foreign government have warned their citizens to be vigilant, despite assurances from the Thai government that authorities will "absolutely not use violence" to disperse the demonstrators.

On its website, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office said, "A number of political demonstrations have taken place in various locations in Bangkok and elsewhere in Thailand since the start of November 2013."

"Further large scale protests are taking place with little warning, at various locations in Bangkok. The main ongoing protest area situated along Rachadamnoen Avenue including Democracy Monument in Bangkok has now expanded to include protests at a number of government buildings in central Bangkok."

In its security message to citizens, the United States Embassy in Bangkok said. "Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence."

"The possibility of further escalation of the unrest should not be ruled out," the ministry said in a statement quoted by news agency RIA.

"In this respect, we recommend that Russians avoid visiting Bangkok. Those already there should take due care, comply with law enforcement officers' demands and avoid crowded areas."

Protests, what protests?

Security concerns notwithstanding, some tourists who spoke with CNN didn't even realize protests were taking place in Bangkok. Others said they were aware of the situation, but weren't concerned.

British traveler Charles Rowson, 43, who is on a 10-day vacation with his family, said he was keeping an eye on developments.

"I have been reading the local papers to keep up on the political situation and our hotel briefs us daily on the areas to avoid," he said, while waiting for his hotel's courtesy ferry to pick him up from the Saphan Taksin pier.

Tourism is a concern for the nation's travel industry right now, as Thailand enters its high season.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the tourism and travel sector contributed $27.99 billion, or 7.3%, to Thailand's GDP in 2012.

A report on state-run website MCOT cites a senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration official as saying tourism revenue may fall 10% lower than projected if the political demonstrations continue.